Day of Praise

Sa, 12/07/13, "Day of Praise"

John 1:17 - "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

One way for us to apply the contrast in today's Bible verse is by asking ourselves if we deal with people in a heavy-handed, condemning way or a gracious, give-them-the-benefit-of-the-doubt way.

When my son, Caden, was in second grade, he played in a city, recreational, basketball league. Yes, everybody's trying to win, but it's ultimately a rec league. Nobody's career or salary is at stake. But maybe somebody's reputation is at stake. Are they heavy-handed, taking this stuff way too seriously? Or are they gracious, giving the benefit of the doubt?

This one game was nearing halftime. A boy threw Caden the ball at half-court. Caden turned and shot it, just as the halftime horn sounded. It went in! Everybody cheered like crazy! A second grader made a half-court shot in a game!

But wait!

The referee said it didn't count because his x-ray vision ascertained that the ball was still on Caden's fingertips as the halftime horn sounded.

Seriously? Second-graders? Rec league? C'mon ref, do you really need to be right and have your pickiness be more important than a thrill of a lifetime for a second grader? How about a little grace?

Can y'all imagine a world full of stuff like that?

God couldn't either.

That's why God sent Jesus!

John 1:17 - "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson